Kah the key to Cause For Concern
Top jockey Jamie Kah was so impressed by Cause For Concern’s (Worthy Cause) win in the G2 The Damien Oliver on Victoria Derby Day, she wanted to ensure she kept the ride.
“She was rapt, she said he was a nice horse and her manager was ringing me at 4am on the Sunday morning, he was making sure she was staying on if we were going again,” the horse’s trainer, Shawn Mathrick, told News Corp.
Jamie Kah | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I think he (Cause For Concern) really suited her (Kah), she rode him a treat, and he went well for her.”
With Kah in the saddle, Cause For Concern will contest Saturday’s G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. at Caulfield.
Begg hopes River runs them along
Grahame Begg, the trainer of talented mare Magic Time (Hellbent), hopes Buffalo River (USA) (Noble Mission {USA}), makes Saturday’s G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. a truly run affair.
Magic Time was dealt no favours at the barrier draw, coming up with 15, and Begg admits his mare will need both some luck, and some assistance from Buffalo River, who has drawn the outside gate and will likely set the tempo.
Grahame Begg | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We’ll do our best from that gate, it certainly doesn’t come easy from that barrier at Caulfield, but there seems to be good speed drawn outside with Buffalo River so I guess he’s going to roll,” Begg told SEN.
“Hopefully that spreads them out but you just don’t want to be doing too much work up that hill.”
Melham to be sidelined for rest of the year
Top jockey Ben Melham faces a six-week layoff from riding as he recovers from hip surgery.
Melham, who won the G1 Caulfield Guineas aboard Griff (Trapeze Artist), will also have remedial work done on his shoulder, noting that the decision to undertake these procedures now is, “to ensure I’m at peak performance come the start of the year”.
Ben Melham | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Melham’s agent, Matthew Alesci, noted that his client’s opportunities have been limited by ongoing ailments, resulting in him struggling to ride below 56kg.
Lofty goals await Schwarz
Promising colt Schwarz (Zoustar) will be afforded the opportunity to compete amongst the upper echelon of 3-year-olds in the autumn. The colt, who has two wins from three career starts, has been well-regarded since prior to his racetrack debut, and connections will look to cash in on his potential.
Rosemont Stud’s Ryan McEvoy told Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria, “He was a horse 12-months ago that was pegged by John (O’Shea) as a real special talent, and we have just had to deal with a few little niggles.”
“This preparation was all about getting a foundation into him and setting him up for the autumn, but to now go for a let-up as a stakes winner, it’s a great thrill for everyone.
“We aren’t afraid of exposing him at the top-level next preparation, but what it looks like could be one that ends up going in a different direction than what was initially set out.”
Lees a fan of Kind Words
Newcastle-based trainer Kris Lees believes Kind Words (Written Tycoon) is capable of handling the rise in class of Saturday’s G3 Spring S. The filly steps into the stakes race on the back of a Hawkesbury maiden win.
“She raced at a high grade and it was good to get a maiden win with her,’’ Lees told Racing NSW.
Kind Words | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“It wasn’t the weakest maiden, there was a bit of depth in the race I thought, and she put them away well.
“If she had every chance and got beaten it probably would be reassessed but it was always the plan to come here.”
Cummings after a lift from ‘yo-yo horse’
Godolphin Australia head trainer James Cummings is hoping enigmatic galloper Gravina (Sebring) can bounce back to form in Saturday’s The Hunter at Newcastle. Twelve months ago, Gravina rebounded from a failure at Flemington to run third in The Hunter. The 6-year-old heads into this year’s race off a last-start ninth in the G3 Rising Fast S. during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“The thing in Gravina’s favour is he’s a horse who has turned his form around quickly in the past,’’ Cummings said on RSN.
James Cummings | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I expected more of the horse in the same race 12 months ago at Flemington and he disappointed me that day.
“He turned it around and produced a big effort for third in The Hunter at his next start.
“He can prove to be a yo-yo horse, hopefully he can do that for us second-up this weekend.”
Currie back in town
Group 1-winning jockey Luke Currie will return to Melbourne to partner Munhamek (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in Saturday’s G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. at Caulfield.
Currie, who is based in Hong Kong, will fly home to ride the gelding for his good mate, trainer Nick Ryan.
“His run was really good last time, he had mixed luck and with everything going his way, he probably would’ve won,” Currie told Racing.com.
Luke Currie | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Nick’s got him going to the top of his ability, so he needs the right luck on Saturday to win. The draw probably hasn’t helped us too much but he’s a get-back sort of horse, he’s better ridden a bit quieter, so it’s probably not quite so important.
“His 1400-metre form is excellent and he’s going really well.”
Purton maintains faith in star sprinter
Superstar jockey Zac Purton reckons a combination of improved fitness and more favourable weight conditions will see Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) take all the beating in Sunday’s G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint at Sha Tin.
The Group 1 winner has been turned over at his first two runs this campaign.
Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) | Image courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He’s getting there, first-up this season he carried a big weight (135lb) (61.24kg) on a wet track, which doesn’t suit him and last time he carried a lot of weight (135lb) (61.24kg) again in a handicap and he improved a bit – I think he’s come on again since then,” Purton said.
“Set weights and penalties suits him better, of course, but I just think he’s turned the corner and he’s improved and I’m happy with where he’s at.”
Mile no concern for Pike
Tony Pike believes his Group 2-winning filly Impendabelle (Impending) will have no issues staying the 1600 metres of Saturday’s G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600 metres) at Riccarton.
The Cambridge-based trainer is confident his in-form 3-year-old will turn in another strong performance against the best of her sex in the Classic.
Impendabelle headed south off the back of her victory in an incident-packed G2 Soliloquy S. (1400 metres) for rider Kozzi Asano, who again will be in the saddle.
“She ran out the 1400m well at Counties and is always relaxed in the run. I think the mile will be fine for her,” Pike said.
“She’s a lovely filly to do anything with, very laid back and that translates into her races. She hardly touches the bridle and it’s always nice to have one with a good temperament.”
Another winner for Trapeze Artist
Gallant Prince on Thursday became the 14th individual winner of the season for Widden Stud’s star young sire Trapeze Artist.
The Clayton Douglas-trained Gallant Prince broke his maiden in Race 2 on the card.
Trapeze Artist is currently Australia’s leading second-season sire.
Big boom on Champion Fillies favourite
Trainer Grant Williams isn’t approaching Saturday’s G3 Champion Fillies S. at Ascot with any doubts as to the ability of Keshi Boom (Spirit Of Boom).
Williams, who trains in partnership with wife Alana, has plenty of confidence in his filly, who defeated Super Smink (Super One) in the Listed Burgess Queen S. on Melbourne Cup day.
Speaking to TABradio, Williams said of his filly, “Look, she can’t do any more, she bounced through the run really good and her work yesterday (Wednesday) was as good as she can work.
Keshi Boom | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“She’s eating and licking the bin, so we can’t ask any more of her, she just turns up and runs her best.
“I can’t see why she wouldn’t do it again on Saturday, we’ve got Pikey (William Pike), we’ve got a good gate and I think the mile is going to suit her.”
Victoria Racing Club to mull carnival changes
With the revelation yesterday that Racing Victoria are hoping to tinker with the layout of the spring racing calendar, the Victoria Racing Club will conduct their own review before actioning any changes.
Racing.com reports that the VRC are “open” to changes, which include the removal of the G3 Archer S. from the first Saturday of the carnival, and upgrading both Saturday meetings to ten race cards.
VRC Chief Executive Steve Rosich said, “With respect to the Melbourne Cup Carnival race program, this is carefully considered by the VRC to maintain the carnival’s world-class status.”
Neasham eyes Beauford for Numerian
Leading trainer Annabel Neasham has one eye on Perth with Numerian (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), but she hopes to collect the riches on offer in The Beauford on Saturday. Worth $170,000 to the winner, the gelding will have to do it the hard way, carrying 62 kilograms for jockey Adam Hyeronimous.
Speaking to Sky Thoroughbred Central, Neasham said, “He’s a big boy, he should be able to carry it. He’s on a Perth Cup trip, he’ll go to Perth a few days later but (The Beauford) will be a nice run to set him up fitness-wise going forward.
Annabel Neasham | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Big weight (on Saturday), but he should be competitive.”
No Japan Cup for Continuous
Hopes of a return to his native Japan have been dashed for the Aidan O’Brien-trained Continuous (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}).
The exciting 3-year-old, who was last seen finishing fifth in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, has developed an irregular gait, and will not make the trip as previously intended.
The decision leaves top jockey Ryan Moore without a ride in the Japan Cup, which will be run next Sunday.
